pair

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'pair' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to two things that are of the same kind and are connected or associated together. For example, "I purchased a pair of designer shoes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Members of a well-known London football dynasty that also numbers Les, Dennis, Bradley and Clive among its members, the pair will conduct the draw at approximately 2pm, with five different third-round matches either ongoing or still to begin.

The Guardian - Sport

There were mint-green pumps, polka-dot kitten heels with ankle straps, pointy-toed brown Dries Van Noten rip-offs and, my favourite, a red and white candy-striped pair with a buckle.

The Guardian - Travel

We just launched a design your own boots service and I have designed a lovely pair for spring.

The Guardian

A small group of us, including a student recovering from exams, a woman with a broken heart and a pair that had stayed at Zamzam before and vowed to return, gathered for some pre-departure pampering.

The Guardian - Travel

This pair who now espouse the global rights of women were perfectly prepared to trample over those they thought disposable.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not terrible: Bibb has a lot of fun as Rogers, cursing, burping and generally offending anyone she comes into contact with, and Dratch is a safe pair of hands as her beleaguered pal.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A month later he also wore a pair of Barnstaple socks while representing the Barbarians at Twickenham.

The Guardian - Sport

All his new team-mates thought their coach was joking – "You would be hard-pressed to think anything other than that the hair dye had finally seeped into Kevin Squire's brain," one told the North Devon Journal – but, sure enough, Collins bought himself a new pair of boots and featured at No8 against a rather startled Newton Abbot.

The Guardian - Sport

By the time I arrived in Nice, the picnic on the beach had been called off, but I was soon absorbed into the extended family of this pair of single mothers and avid social networkers.

The Guardian - Travel

His Drake edits pair the Torontonian Andrex puppy with mournful 160bpm workouts, and he's part of the Teklife fraternity alongside DJ Spinn et al. Check the recent Buy Now EP, in which he takes 80s boogie – SOS Band, Roy Ayers, Shalamar – and whips round the tempo dial until they're chirruping at breakneck speed.

The Guardian - Music

After a short interval, another pair appeared, and constructed a habitation, chiefly with materials purloined from the other nests.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to items that naturally come in twos (e.g., "scissors", "pants", "glasses"), always use "pair of" to maintain grammatical correctness: "a pair of scissors", "a pair of pants", "a pair of glasses".

Common error

Avoid using "pairs" when referring to a single set of something that comes in twos. For instance, instead of saying "I need new pairs of glasses", say "I need a new pair of glasses".

Linguistic Context

The word "pair" functions primarily as a noun, referring to two items of the same kind that are used together or considered as a unit. Ludwig AI highlights its usage in contexts like "a pair of shoes" or "a pair of socks".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "pair" is a common and versatile noun used to denote two similar or corresponding items. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and frequent appearance across diverse contexts, particularly within news and media. While alternatives like "couple" or "duo" exist, "pair" remains a straightforward and widely accepted choice for expressing the concept of twoness in various scenarios. It's important to remember the correct pluralization (pairs) when referring to multiple sets and avoid misusing it when a single set is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

couple

Refers to two people in a relationship or two things considered together; slightly more intimate in the context of people.

duo

Emphasizes two individuals working or performing together, often in music or entertainment.

twosome

Highlights the state of being two people together, especially in a social context.

brace

Implies a matching set of two, particularly in hunting or sports.

yoke

Specifically refers to two animals working together under a harness; can also metaphorically represent a partnership.

team

Focuses on a group of people working together towards a common goal; broader than just two individuals.

set

A collection of items that belong together; can be more than two.

combination

Highlights the act of combining two or more things, rather than the resulting group itself.

partnership

Emphasizes a formal agreement or collaboration between two entities.

alliance

Suggests a more formal or strategic association between two or more parties, often for mutual benefit.

FAQs

How can I use the word "pair" in a sentence?

The word "pair" can refer to two items used together or two people in a relationship. For example, "I bought a new pair of shoes" or "They make a great pair".

What are some synonyms for "pair"?

Alternatives to "pair" include "couple", "duo", or "twosome", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "pairs of shoes" when referring to multiple shoes?

Yes, "pairs of shoes" is correct when referring to more than one set of shoes. For a single set, use "a pair of shoes".

What is the difference between "pair" and "couple"?

"Pair" can refer to any two items that are similar and used together, while "couple" typically refers to two people in a romantic relationship or two things considered together.